Swanage to South Haven Point (13.10.09)

Camped at Ringwood and this was about the only part of the walk I could feasibly do this week. Again it was the nicest day of the week (I seem to have a knack for this so far). Coming out of Swanage I took the roadway rather than the beach and , following good signpost markers, was soon on Ballards Down. This part of the walk was the only climbing of the day. Easy stroll along the obvious route to Old Harry's Rocks where I had lunch. Lots of people around here and I got lots of photos. A long easy trackway takes you down to Studland, past a lovely looking pub (Bankes or something), and down to a couple of National Trust car parks . I deliberately avoided using the beach to avoid a weary trek but ended up on an almost nightmarish path called Heather Way over the dunes behind the beach. I had thought it would be an ordinary path but it was soft sand the whole way(at least 2 miles) and much worse than the beach would have been. Big bubu there. Took photo of the end of the walk sculpture, a bit of a cheat but at least I have it on record. Overall an extremely easy walk.

Bucks Mills to Clovelly (03.10.08)

Did this part with Eileen plus friends Colin and Jill who came to spend the day with us. Parked about half a mile up from Bucks Mills which is right down by the water. A steep walk uphill from Bucks Mills and then fairly easy walking for a couple of miles through woods. After that you reach a cobbled path which takes you all the way into Clovelly. You don't see much of the water on this walk. Lots and lots of pheasants on the pathway - must breed them here. Stopped at Clovelly for a bite to eat, only one place open as there was a local funeral going on and the place was virtually closed. Coming into Clovelly this way you don't have to pay. Just as well because as I would have begrudged paying to see the place. I wasn't all that impressed, one lovely cobbled street and that's it. I've seen dozens of places like it without having to pay.

The sting in this walk is that we had missed the last bus and had to walk back to Bucks Mills. At least Jill and I did. That was quite an experience as Jill is the fastest walker I've ever been with. She's a rambler and claims that her pace is slower than her fellow ramblers. Don't believe her, I was running half the time, but it did get us back to the car in double quick time. From there a quick drive to pick up the others and back home.